Day 121 of international places giving smiles – Remembering Bournemoth Beach Resort in UK
We slept through our coach journey from London to the beachside port of Bournemouth. I must mention that we got cheap fares on the internet on national Express (just 6 pounds one way in 2008). It wa still cold on Thursday 3rd April, so jackets were an absolute must here. My old friend Neelu’s son Dev Rara worked here. He picked us up, we walked from the Coach Station, through the small typical English town, we saw his office, his house, some churches and saw a lot of activity at the square. We had a good Italian lunch at a place called ‘Bella Italia’ with a friendly enthusiastic Slovakian waitress serving on us. Shringar got excited buying knick knacks at ‘Claires’ and I brought a designer red top at ‘house of Fraser’.
It was time for some history and sightseeing. From its days as a popular area for smuggling through its time as a resort for invalids, Bournemouth now has a status as one of Britain’s leading Holiday resort. It has Victorian heritage, Art Deco Architecture and literary connections with Oscar Wilde and Mary Shelly (Frankenstein). We walked through the beautiful lower gardens with its 300 ornamental flower pedestals and 30 colourful flower filled roundabouts. There was no time to go in the huge hot air balloon called ‘Bournemouth Eye’. We passed by the waterfront complex and its amusement rides.
We went to the Bournemouth pier and relaxed on a deckchair facing the beachfront. The first kid’s deckchairs in the U.K. were introduced here. Bournemouth is renowned for its 7 miles of soft golden sands and sheltered bathing waters. It has been voted the best beach in U.K. Unlike London where we encounter people of all races, here in Bournemouth most of the population is typically British and we can feel a sense of true British experience. We saw a lot of senior citizens here, this place is also said to be a Pensioners Paradise. The walk on the undercliff drive at the seafront is amazing with the cliffs on one side and the beach on the other side.
At the end of the East Cliff promenade, situated on a dramatic cliff is the quaint Russell Cotes museum. It was originally a Victorian Villa, designed and lived in by one of the richest families of Bournemouth-Sir Merton and Lady Russell Cotes. They were keen collectors and travellers and brought home objects from around the world. Their private collections of art and sculpture were made around the late 1800’s. The villa’s architecture and interior design (even the bathroom) seemed flamboyant in nature. We were lucky to see some theatre artists entertain a group of children. The best part is that there is no entry fee charged here!
We went into the Oceanarium which is supposed to be a wonderful underwater experience. Since it was almost closing time we decided not to venture inside. In fact there were a lot more things that we could have done if we had stayed back in Bournemouth. Besides, every evening there are many shows, concerts or plays happening at the BIC, Pavilion or Pier Theatre.
Daughter Shringar with her well co-ordinated black and beige dress of tights, mini skirt and long jacket could actually pass off as a local Britisher. She got very excited shopping for very good bargains at a store called ‘Debenems’. Remember in those days this store had not yet opened in India. I had not carried a copy of my passport with me, otherwise I would have got a refund of the V.A.T. tax component on my shopping.
Our host cooked us a good dinner of mushroom matar and roti, he even washed the dishes in the machine later. I was impressed by the way this bachelor managed everything at his fully self-contained 2 bedroom flat.
In all ways, our trip to Bournemouth was a worthwhile British countryside experience.
So which place made you smile today?
Be grateful for the places that make you smile!
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